"That's because Shasha said you enjoy eating here, so she specially made the reservation." Madam Li invited Lin Sha to sit beside her. "However, it's fine to eat in such a roadside eatery once in a while to satisfy your cravings, but it's not good for your health to eat it all the time. Don't you think so, Shasha?"
"Auntie, you're right, but there are some people who happen to enjoy eating at these roadside eateries," Lin Sha echoed.
Of course, Li Yan could tell that there was a hidden meaning in his mother's words. He did not want to argue with her anymore and excused himself from the table.
"Where are you going?" Madam Li stopped him.
"I can't eat, I'm going to get some fresh air," Li Yan said impatiently.
"Even if you don't have the appetite, you will have to eat it? Don't you usually enjoy your meals?" Madam Li's attitude was firm. The bodyguard standing at the side also received Madam Li's silent command and pressed Li Yan onto the stool.
"I've embarrassed myself in front of you." Madam Li took hold of Lin Sha's hand, patting it as if she were a caring parent.
"Auntie, I understand. People's tastes can't change overnight. But I believe that as long as he tastes better food, he will forget all about those roadside stalls."
"Good child, I'm relieved to hear that." Madam Li smiled even more happily. "Since we're getting along well, why don't we bring forward your engagement with Lil' Yan? What do you think of three days from now?"
"Three days later?!" Li Yan and Lin Sha exclaimed at the same time. However, one was happy, and the other was filled with shock.
"I don't agree!" Li Yan refused directly, throwing cold water on the extremely happy Lin Sha.
"Shasha, I need to discuss something with Lil' Yan…" Madam Li hesitated, but Lin Sha understood her intentions in an instant.
"It's alright, Auntie. I'll excuse myself to the washroom." As she spoke, she stood up with a smile and left the private room.
"Li Yan, are you done?!" The smile on Madam Li's face immediately vanished. "You agreed to the marriage with the Lin family, so why are you acting crazy now? Did that Ning Zhi whisper something in your ear?"
Madam Li took out a few photos from her bag. They were moments of him and Ning Zhi together. Ning Zhi appeared obedient and loving in those pictures, her eyes filled with affection for him.
However, Madam Li immediately threw out a few more photos. This time showed Ning Zhi with Wu Ming —the same ones the mysterious person had sent him.
"What kind of enchantment did this promiscuous woman use on you? She made you reject Lin Sha, who is such a good woman. However, your engagement is already set in stone. Remember to tell her to give up." Madam Li's expression was full of confidence. "If she knows what's good for her and doesn't cause trouble, I'll turn a blind eye to your affairs. But if she lacks common sense, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Li Yan did not pay much attention to Madam Li's words, but his eyes were fixed on the secretly taken photos of him and Ning Zhi. He did not say anything, but his mind was working on something.
The next morning, as soon as Ning Zhi entered the company with her seat not warm yet, Ning Zhi received a call from Lu Ping.
"Lil' Ningning, I need your help!" Lu Ping's despair could be heard over the phone.
"CEO Lu, although I'm about to resign, it would be better if you call me Special Assistant Ning." Ning Zhi didn't like Lu Ping calling her by that nickname. "When we negotiated about compensation, it was me and my team who pushed forward. I'm also familiar with the situations of the natives."
Recently, Ning Zhi had been coordinating with her team on the He Ling case, but she didn't expect Lu Ping to personally call her.
"I heard from Zhang Li that you've been handling the coordination with the natives. Then you should know them better. There's a big problem here now. I need your help."
Seeing that Lu Ping had come to look for her, coupled with her previous understanding of the case, Ning Zhi agreed to go to He Ling and take a look.
"Alright, it's settled then. The sooner, the better. See you at He Ling!" Lu Ping quickly hung up after speaking.
He did not want to seek Ning Zhi's help, but Li Yan seemed to have some kind of misunderstanding. He told Lu Ping that whoever was in charge should be responsible.
What else could he do? He could only look for Ning Zhi.
"CEO Li, I'm here to report on my work." Ning Zhi knocked on Li Yan's office door. Lin Sha did not follow him today.
"Is it about He Ling's case?" Li Yan was the first to speak, indicating that Lu Ping already informed him.
"Yes." Ning Zhi felt that it was good not to waste her breath. "So, I'll want to inform you that I'll be going on a business trip to He Ling for a while. By the time this case is resolved, it'll be time for me to leave."
After hearing Ning Zhi's words, Li Yan's hand paused.
"Aren't you reconsidering?" Li Yan asked.